Everything Is Local

In this episode of Everything Is Local, Mike and Shana dive into another packed week of local controversy, community accountability, and the political fallout from Election Day.• The Future of The Buzz: The hosts discuss the reported sale of Beachwood’s community publication to the Cleveland Jewish News, what that could mean for local journalism, and whether a publication financially supported by the city can remain independent when covering that same city.• The $30 Million Library Debate Continues: Why residents are questioning the proposed library relocation, the growing gap between the library's funding and the athletic fields' uncertain future, and whether Beachwood could build a new library without spending millions more on an auditorium.• The Library’s Own Master Plan: A closer look at the library system's previous facilities plan, which recommended keeping the library at its current location, and questions about how the project went from a proposed renovation to a much more expensive relocation.• Where Are the Fields? The debate over the proposed 73% increase in athletic space, the unknown costs of raising the land, the removal of mature trees, and concerns that the promised improvements may never materialize.• Are Kids Allowed to Use the Fields Anymore? A newly revised school district policy has sparked questions about why children need reservations and insurance to use athletic fields that aren't being used. The hosts discuss the impact on local teenagers and the importance of giving kids places to play.• A Community Divided: The conversation gets heated over accusations of misinformation, public criticism, the treatment of Orthodox families, and the responsibility of elected officials to represent the entire community.• Election Day Fallout: Mike and Shana break down the election results, Ohio's changing political landscape, the end of the Republican supermajority, and why one-party rule can be dangerous regardless of which party holds power.• JobsOhio and Government Accountability: A discussion about public money, economic development incentives, the Intel project, and whether Ohio's next administration will take a closer look at how these funds are distributed.• National Politics and the Issues Behind the Campaigns: The hosts discuss congressional oversight, presidential authority, the Epstein files, campaign strategy, and the difference between winning an election and actually earning voters' support.• Plus: Mississippi politics, economic dependence on major employers, the challenges facing rural communities, transgender participation in school sports, and a very questionable game involving rubber balls and teenage boys.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:• The Beachwood Library Controversy: The latest developments in the proposed library relocation, growing community opposition, and why residents are demanding answers before the project moves forward.• Where’s the Money Going? Questions about the true cost of the project, the city's financial commitments, the school district's responsibilities, and the still-unknown price tag for rebuilding the athletic fields.• Transparency or Damage Control? A heated discussion about closed-door meetings, public input, accusations of misinformation, and why the hosts believe community members deserve clear and honest answers from elected officials.• The Fight Over Youth Sports: What happens to Beachwood's athletic programs if the existing fields disappear, whether the proposed replacement space is realistic, and why the promise of 73% more field space is being questioned.• What Happens to the Old Library? The debate over demolishing the existing building, whether another school could purchase and use the property, and what that decision could mean for the community.• The Impact on Students: A closer look at how moving the library could affect middle school students who use it after school, including transportation, independence, access, and the practical challenges of getting students between buildings.• Election Day Is Here: Mike and Shana discuss Ohio's political races, Sherrod Brown, Vivek Ramaswamy, campaign controversies, polling, and their predictions for several key races.• Plus: Bernie Kosar texts, Halloween candy sticker shock, winning buckets of booze, political fundraising, theater investments, celebrity connections, and plenty of laughs along the way.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:• Beachwood’s $30 Million Library Debate: Residents are demanding a public hearing, a complete project budget, and a clear timeline before officials move forward with the proposed library relocation.• Where Are the Fields? Questions surrounding claims of 73% more playing space, unfunded recreation plans, the removal of mature trees, and potential traffic and neighborhood impacts.• Who’s Paying for the Entire Project? Why residents want a comprehensive breakdown of the costs involving the library, school district, city, renovations, transportation, maintenance, and the future of the existing library building.• A Young Resident’s Perspective: Jack joins the conversation to explain how relocating the library could affect middle schoolers who rely on its computers and teen area, especially after school.• The Push for Public Input: A look at the Beachwood FIRST website and petition calling for additional studies and greater transparency before major decisions are made.• Ohio Politics Heating Up: A discussion of the Senate race, Sherrod Brown, campaign strategy, and a controversial political advertisement attracting attention.• Cleveland Guardians Playoff Heartbreak: Mike reflects on playoff baseball, Gavin Williams’ potential arm injury, the team's future, and what Cleveland might look like with a bigger payroll.• Plus: Halloween party stories, bar mitzvah memories, questionable flavored vodka, and a spirited debate over whether Arby’s really deserves all the hate.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!

In Episode 77 of Everything Is Local, Matt and Shana dive into the latest controversy surrounding Beachwood’s proposed library, the future of local youth sports and a wide-ranging discussion about politics, elections and the issues shaping the country.• Why the proposed $30 million Beachwood library continues to face criticism over its cost, the loss of recreational fields and unanswered questions about who will pay for the necessary engineering work.• The backlash to a letter sent to residents about the library project, why its tone has frustrated community members and whether officials are listening to the people they represent.• What the proposed library plans could mean for book collections, public events, youth sports and the families who rely on Beachwood’s existing facilities.• Why residents are demanding more transparency, independent impact studies and a public meeting before the library project moves forward.• The latest political developments heading into the midterm elections, including competitive Senate races, the state of the House and whether Democrats could make major gains in traditionally Republican territory.• A discussion about political endorsements, campaign fundraising and why some candidates are struggling to connect with voters.• The debate over congressional decorum, the growing influence of online political commentators and the First Amendment questions surrounding a controversial Ohio case.• Why the Cleveland Guardians need to make the most of their playoff run, the frustration of small-market baseball and the looming possibility of a major MLB labor dispute.• Plus, a look back at the 2016 World Series, the Browns’ unexpected win and the sports-related superstitions Cleveland fans just can’t shake.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Episode 76 of Everything Is Local, Mike and Shana break down the latest developments surrounding Beachwood’s proposed library project, local spending and the community’s future, along with a heated conversation about consent and college culture.• Why the proposed $30 million Beachwood library could mean fewer recreational fields, expensive engineering work and major safety concerns near Fairmount Boulevard.• The unanswered questions about who will pay to rebuild the fields, when they’ll reopen and whether the city and school district are passing responsibility back and forth.• Why the hosts are questioning the school district’s changing explanations about the library plans, public access to athletic fields and a new policy restricting informal field use.• How the loss of recreational space could affect youth baseball, softball and soccer, particularly kids who rely on local leagues rather than travel sports.• The financial concerns surrounding Beachwood’s infrastructure projects, including millions already committed to engineering work and whether the city can afford the projects it is planning.• A candid discussion about the Cornell sexual-assault case, consent, fraternity culture, bystander responsibility and the way public figures discuss the people involved.• What the conversation reveals about college social life, changing attitudes toward sex and the importance of holding people accountable without losing sight of empathy.• Plus, Cleveland Guardians playoff nerves, Browns frustrations, baseball memories and a few reminders about upcoming Beachwood community fundraisers.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Everything Is Local, Mike and Shana dig into several local issues before getting into a much bigger national conversation:• Why Beachwood teenagers were reportedly told they could not use the Fairmount fields when the fields were not being used, and what the school district's facility-use policy actually says about community access.• The frustration over changing explanations for why the kids were removed from the fields, and the larger questions about accountability and oversight within the school district.• How the fight over access to the fields connects directly to the proposed $30 million Beachwood library and the concern over losing even more athletic space in a community that already has limited fields.• The city's effort to declare the Fairmount Temple property “blighted,” why the hosts question the reasoning behind the designation, and what it could mean for a potential future property-tax incentive.• The $8 million purchase price for the Fairmount property, why developers may not be willing to pay anywhere near that amount and the debate over whether taxpayers should ultimately absorb the difference.• The broader tension between local tax incentives and Cuyahoga County's financial struggles, particularly when it comes to health and human services and other safety-net programs.• A lengthy and heated discussion about the Cornell University sexual-assault case, consent, changing perceptions of sexual behavior and the responsibilities of students who witness questionable situations.• What parents should be teaching their kids about consent, relationships, group-chat culture and recognizing when a situation crosses a line.• The conversation takes a few unexpected turns into college culture, Alabama football, dress codes, “side boob” and the changing social norms around dating and sex.• Plus, a surprisingly deep discussion about the death penalty, wrongful convictions and whether the state should have the power to execute someone.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Everything Is Local, Shana, Mike and Matt break down the latest developments surrounding Beachwood’s proposed new library and the controversial Fairmount Temple property:• The latest library plans, including the proposed auditorium, private study spaces, maker room and the impact the project could have on Beachwood’s remaining youth sports fields.• Why the school district’s plan to move engineering classes into the current library raises major questions about transportation, classroom time, operating costs and whether the idea has actually been studied.• The growing frustration over the library’s planning process, including the claim that more than $1 million was spent planning a library at the current site before it was determined the property was too small.• The City Council meeting, public comments and the criticism surrounding how community members were given an opportunity to ask questions about the new library design.• The proposed $30 million-scale library project and the debate over whether a large auditorium is actually necessary when other nearby facilities already offer large event spaces.• The Fairmount Temple property, the city’s $8 million purchase and the revelation that developers may be willing to pay substantially less than what Beachwood paid for the land.• What declaring the Fairmount Temple property “blighted” could mean, including the potential use of property-tax incentives and the impact that could have on county-funded health and human services, developmental disability programs and other safety-net services.• Questions surrounding who is responsible for paying for the library-related infrastructure, parking and sports-field improvements, and why the city and school district appear to be giving different answers.• Whether Beachwood City Council will ultimately approve the proposed “blighted” designation and how residents can make their opinions known before the next steps are taken.• Plus, a few detours into Mike’s championship softball tournament, The Dukes of Hazzard and some classic TV nostalgia.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!

In this episode, Mike, Shana, Matt take a deep dive into the proposed new Beachwood library and the questions surrounding the project:• The latest presentation for the proposed library and why the new plans for the surrounding sports fields are raising even more questions.• The massive amount of dirt and engineering that could be required to level the property, and the unanswered question of who will actually pay for that work.• Why moving the library could significantly reduce the space available for Little League, softball, soccer, and other youth sports, especially after the loss of Hilltop.• The idea of moving high school engineering classes into the current library building and the practical questions about how students would actually get there every day.• Why the existing Beachwood library is still heavily used, particularly by middle school students who rely on it as an after-school gathering, study, and activity space.• Whether the community has actually been given a meaningful opportunity to weigh in on moving the library, and why the hosts believe the public needs more information before major decisions are made.• The broader question of spending priorities, including the proposed $30 million library and Cuyahoga County's need for additional funding for health and human services and other community safety-net programs.• The upcoming City Council meeting and why the hosts believe residents should attend, ask questions, and make their opinions known before the library project moves any further.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is another great episode where Shana and Matt talk about:• The controversial TIF proposal in Orange Village and why they believe the plan could divert tax revenue that voters intended for schools and other public services.• The growing criticism of Orange City Council, including questions about whether council members are doing enough to challenge the mayor and scrutinize major decisions.• The development of new housing in Orange and whether the community really needs more expensive residential units competing with nearby cities.• The decline of youth sports and recreation programs in local communities, and why access to fields, facilities and organized sports matters for families.• The debate over Ohio politics, including the upcoming governor's race, candidates' positions on voting laws and transgender athletes, and what makes someone qualified to lead the state.• The importance of political candidates being willing to communicate, debate and listen to the people they represent instead of simply relying on party politics.• The influence of wealthy business leaders and billionaires in American politics, along with a larger conversation about Donald Trump, political polarization and whether either major party is actually getting it right.• Why local government matters so much and why voters should pay attention to their city councils, mayors and local decisions instead of only focusing on national politics.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!

With Mike currently away with family, this is another great episode where Shana and Matt talk about:• The history and controversy surrounding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including the Green Line, Areas A, B and C, and how the Oslo Accords divided the territory.• Why hundreds of thousands of Israelis live beyond the Green Line and the different political, religious and economic reasons behind the settlements.• The differences between Zionism and religious Zionism, and how Jewish historical and religious connections to the land influence the settlement debate.• The 1947 UN partition plan, the creation of Israel, the 1948 war and how those events shaped the borders and political realities that exist today.• The complicated history of Palestinians, Jordanians and Israelis in the region, including the question of whether the absence of a historic sovereign Palestinian state determines modern questions of sovereignty and political rights.• The role of religion and history in the conflict, including access to Jerusalem's holy sites and why the city remains so important to Jews, Christians and Muslims.• The Law of Return, the Holocaust, Jewish displacement and the different ways Israelis and Palestinians understand the history of displacement and belonging.• Whether Israel can negotiate the future while continuing to change the reality on the ground through settlement policy, and why understanding the nuance and history behind these issues is so important.Subscribe for more episodes like this one!